This assessment covers the linked policy document.
Legacy rating — awaiting reassessment with complete source evidence.
Grade C+ — Standard consumer terms (score 65/100)
IETF meeting terms broadly exclude liability, allow unilateral policy changes without notice, and require email-based cancellation with a 10% fee. Speaker/leader recording consent is irrevocable.
Meeting terms with broad liability cap, dark-pattern cancellation, and unilateral changes.
Except as required by law, the IETF will not be liable for any failure to perform, if due to any cause beyond IETF's reasonable control or any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential costs, damages or losses arising directly or indirectly from the meeting.
The IETF disclaims virtually all liability for damages arising from meeting participation — effectively a $0 liability cap.
We may implement additional relevant policies and by participating in the meeting after we implement new policies or changes to these terms and conditions, you confirm that you agree to those.
The IETF can change its policies unilaterally and continued participation is deemed acceptance — no notice or consent required.
Refunds may be subject to a 10% (ten percent) service charge. Cancellations and requests for refunds should be received five (5) working days before the first day of the meeting. Contact the IETF Registrar at [email protected] to cancel and request a refund.
Cancelling costs a 10% penalty, requires emailing support, and must clear a 5-business-day deadline — not a self-serve process.
However, if you speak at a microphone, appear on a panel or carry out an official duty as a member of IETF leadership then you consent to appearing in recordings of you at that time. If you participate online, and turn on your camera and/or microphone, then you consent to appear in such recordings. This consent cannot be later withdrawn.
If you speak, panel, or hold leadership (or go on camera/mic online), you permanently give up the right to withdraw consent to appear in IETF's recordings.
the IETF may take any steps it deems necessary to enforce these terms and its policies. This can include, where needed, declining entry to a meeting or requiring someone to leave. Such action does not entitle the affected person to a refund.
The IETF may decline entry or eject attendees on its own discretion without notice, and you have no right to a refund or appeal.
The IETF and related organizations are committed to transparency and so some of your registration data will be made public.
Parts of your registration data are published publicly for organizational transparency purposes — not for marketing or advertising.
Promotional activity at an IETF meeting or promotional activity directed at IETF meeting participants is not allowed without the express prior written consent of the IETF Administration LLC (IETF LLC). Promotional activity includes distributing materials, advertising products, services or events, soliciting participants, or collecting participants' personal data.
The IETF prohibits any third-party promotional activity or data collection at the meeting without written consent, protecting attendees from unauthorized data harvesting.
For some meetings we provide red lanyards for you to wear if you do not wish to be photographed individually or in small groups.
An opt-out signal (red lanyard) is offered for attendees who want to avoid being photographed in small groups.
Anyone who registers as an onsite participant and then needs to participate remotely is able to convert their registration at the same fee tier at any time, with the difference in fee refunded.
Attendees may switch from onsite to remote at the same fee tier and receive a refund of the price difference.
Refunds may be subject to a 10% (ten percent) service charge. Note: this fee is always waived if cancellation is due to denial of entry visa.
The 10% cancellation service charge is automatically waived if cancellation is caused by denial of an entry visa.
Last reviewed 2026-09-22 under rubric v3.5.